Bond 25 Production Diary: Vic Armstrong's involvement confirmed

Yes I know it's early, but I figured I'd be the first one to create this new thread for the production of the future 25th installment of our beloved franchise. I don't expect this thread to have much activity until after the 24th 007 adventure, Spectre, hits theatres later this year. Special credit to user JWESTBROOK for the original idea for B24. In a few months, when there is more word on Bond 25, this thread will be resurrected. So, to wrap up, let there be great discussions ahead.

And we're back. After a short hiatus, there is now enough news material to start generating some discussion. It's an exciting time for us Bond fans, as Spectre's release is imminent and pre-production for Bond 25 will go underway. I've gathered all tidbits of news I could find to start the timeline.

The thread rules are as follows

Any major spoilers regarding Bond 25 (i.e. character deaths, plot material, etc.), MUST BE IN SPOILER TAGS. Should the script leak (let's hope it never comes to that), no content of those leaks may ever be discussed or linked in this thread.
Official (statements from EON/MGM directly related to B25): ***
Confirmed (fact-based items/statements from trusted sources): ***
Uncertain (items from uncertain sources and/or with uncertain results): ***
Debunked (items proven incorrect): ***

Potential spoilers below

(Due to the forum's character limit, the 2015 and 2016 sections can be found below on page 1)

January 2017
->It is reported that Lionsgate Entertainment is eyeing MGM as a possible distribution partner for future projects, which may well include James Bond
->Sony Pictures confirm that it will not be selling its movie business, despite the stepping down of CEO Michael Lynton, though later reports indicate otherwise
->Naomie Harris meets with Bond producers, who reiterate that all gears are shifted towards non-Bond productions
->Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade weigh in on Bond's place in the current political climate, and avoid ruling out the possibility of penning another Bond screenplay
->Sony pictures write-down a $962 million impairment charge for its film division (and are presumably tightening budgets) which will undoubtedly affect the 007 series going forward should they choose re-secure distribution rightsFebruary 2017
->EON are set to executive produce yet another non-Bond project, as the psychological drama, Nancy, starring Andrea Riseborough is expected to be released in the bottom half of this year
->Two additional films listed on IMDB Pro on EON's slate are discovered, and are listed as "in development." They are No Place to Hide (2017) and Remote Control. It is brought into question if these have been put on ice or if Wilson and Broccoli are moving ahead with the projects
->Filming on Daniel Craig's Kings concludes and begins post-production, leaving only Purity as the sole project on Craig's slate (page 592)
->Eon Productions acquire a Bell UHD-1D vintage helicopter from the Saxony-Anhalt aviation museum in Germany, to be flown to Heathrow on Feb. 9.
->The helicopter is to be used 'specifically for the next Bond film.'
->Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye tweets to user @Pierce2Daniel; says B25 is 'a long, long way off,' when asked where the franchise currently stood
->Omega chief executive Raynald Aeschlimann hints at a potential return for Craig, as the two are expected to meet in 'two or three weeks' to discuss the Omega brand
->Further signs point to Craig's return when Othello co-star David Oyelowo responds to Stephen Colbert's claim that he has indeed gone. "We don't know that (...) I've been in a dressing room with him for three months, so I don't know about that."
->Both Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes have signed on to projects throughout late 2017 to early 2018 (theatre work and direction respectively), which may conflict with their schedules for an Oct/Nov. 2018 release date
->The mayor of Dubrovnik, Croatia confirms that EON is in "advanced talks" with officials about featuring the city in B25
->It is revealed that an unnamed China organization was previously in advanced talks to purchase MGM, only for the deal to be broken down in late 2016March 2017
->Reliable Daily Mail columnist Baz Bamigboye reports that six-time Bond scribes Neal Purvis & Robert Wade have been commissioned to pen the script for B25, while Daniel Craig remains undecided. It is likely that he will wait on a script prior to making a final decision
->Bamigboye also surmises that cameras won't start rolling on the forthcoming adventure until 'next autumn' at the earliest; also hints that the script (or lack thereof) isn't the only factor holding Craig back
->MI6-HQ confirms that the vintage helicopter recently acquired by Eon Productions will not be used for B25, but for a historical war film that Broccoli and Wilson will co-produce in late 2017. This would effectively rule out a Nov/Dec. 2017 start date
->Eyewitnesses spot Daniel Craig with Barbara Broccoli at the opening of her new production "The Kid Stays in the Picture," prompting speculation of his return
->The Writers Guild of America seeks authorization for a strike which, if granted, is likely to hamper B25 development
->Officials at Aston Martin hint that a new model will feature in the next spy thriller, but do not specify as to which oneApril 2017
->A rumour surfaces that Purvis and Wade are scouting Cyprus as a possible location for Bond 25, although it's unclear if this is an April Fool's hoax
-Jeffrey Wright, who played Felix Leiter in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, sparks rumours that he may return to the franchise after posting a still of his character on Instagram
->Negotiations have yet to be reached between the WGA and AMPTP, with a strike authorization vote to commence between the 19 and 24 of April. The Guild plans to go on strike on May 2 if a deal is not yet reached
->The New York Times reports that five studios (Sony, Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Universal, and Annapurna) are competing for the distribution rights of a one-picture deal, and are putting on pitches in front of Broccoli & Wilson as well as MGM executives
->Fanclub Archivo 007 says they have reason to believe that Craig will more than likely return for B25 based on contractual information (possibly Craig's stunt double singing on) let slip by a source at Pinewood Studios
->96% of the Writer's Guild's 12,000 members vote for a strike authorization, and will likely use this as leverage when returning to the bargaining table later this month
->Dave Bautista tells Metro that he is more than willing to return as Hinx, harkening back to Richard Kiel's double feature as Jaws. "We’re waiting for the news to see if Daniel will sign up for Bond 25, because then there’s a chance that Hinx will come back."May 2017
->At the last minute, the WGA and AMPTP reach a deal, with the writers strike averted. B25 production as well as the rest of the industry will not be affected
->Paul McGuigan, who directed the Eon-produced Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, is tipped as a leading contender to helm B25 according to Indiewire
->IMDB Pro questionably lists Christopher Nolan's Syncopy as a B25 production company. The forthcoming Bond film is also listed under the company's "in development" titles
->IMDB staff stick to their word regarding Syncopy's involvement with B25 and believe "the information [they] have displayed to be correct."
->Syncopy is removed from B25's IMDB Pro page after numerous film sites pick up the story
->Christoph Waltz is set to begin work on his directorial debut, "Georgetown" in summer 2017, which may interfere with his schedule if he were to return for a late 2018 release
->Broccoli and Wilson's play, The Kid Stays in the Picture, is met with praise and is likely to get a run on Broadway later this year, possibly shifting focus from B25July 2017
->While talking to Playboy, Christopher Nolan reaffirms his desire to helm a Bond film, but stresses that "it has to need reinvention, it has to need you."
->Eon Productions announce that they will soon begin work on The Rhythm Section, a non-007 spy thriller based on the four novel series by Mark Burnell. American actress Blake Lively is set to star as the film's protagonist
->The 25th James Bond film is officially confirmed for a US release on November 8th, 2019, with international dates as well as the cast & director to be announced at a later date
->This leaves only an untiled Disney live-action film as direct box office competition, although sequels to both Frozen and Wonder Woman are expected to provide B25 with stiff competition during the latter two months of '19
->Logan Lucky earns praise from critics and will soon begin its theatrical run.
->With Craig about to embark on his press tour, he will undoubtedly be faced with lingering questions regarding his future (or lack thereof) with the 007 franchise
->The New York Times reports that Craig's return is a done deal based on sources close to production
->Both BirthMoviesDeath and MI6-HQ stress the possibility of Broccoli and Wilson selling the franchise off post-B25, based on an unknown source close to production
->Deadline reports that Yann Demange (71), Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049), and David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water) are on the shortlist to helm the next film in the series, and have all allegedly had meetings with Broccoli and Wilson. Villeneuve may be out of the race due to scheduling conflicts having recently signed onto Dune
->According to Variety, Demange is the frontrunner and claims Warner Bros. is the closest to landing a distribution deal with MGM for B25
->Surprisingly, Logan Lucky will not have a press junket (despite numerous high profile actors appearing in the film) meaning that Craig will likely stay silent on the matter until his next film, Kings, premiers at the Toronto International Film Festival in September
->Craig will star in two episodes of a new Amazon Prime series, Comrade Detective, to air later this year. Interestingly, no developments have been made on Craig's other TV series, Purity, since the show was greenlit by Showtime last year
->James Bond Downunder reports that Yann Demange was spotted at EON House in London; comments from fans asking about Bond on Demange's Instagram are promptly deleted
->Mirror claims the next Bond film will be titled "Shatterhand" and will be an adaptation of Raymond Benson's continuation novel, Never Dream of Dying
->Benson denies ever speaking to journalists at Mirror; says the article is nothing more than a fabricationAugust 2017
->Katheryn Bigelow reveals that she has been offered a Bond film in the past (as well as numerous other large-budget franchise titles) but turned them down, preferring to continue on the path of smaller, journalistic genre films
->ArtsATL claims B25 is "planning to shoot at Pinewood Atlanta Studios," although an editor's note later added explains these plans as unsubstantiated
->Craig is said to still be attached to Purity according to David Nevins, CEO of Showtime, although production may not commence on the mini-series until 2019 as he's "doing Bond first"
->Sony Pictures announce their upcoming releases for 2018 and 2019, from which B25 is absent. This all but officially confirms Sony's departure from the series
->Stuntmen Gary Powell and Martin Ivanov visit Budapest for reasons unclear; rumors start that they are location scouting (page 932)
->While promoting Logan Lucky, Craig states on numerous radio shows that he has not signed up for another (or two) Bond films and that personal decisions (rather than pay demands as rumored in the press) are being made. "I know that they are desperate to get going. I would, in theory, love to do it... But no decisions just yet."
->Daniel Craig officially confirms his return as James Bond in Bond 25, with 2019 set to be his last performance in the role
->"It's been a couple of months. [...] This is it. I just want to go out on a high note. I can't wait."
->Industry insiders claim that B25 (pre) production is to officially kick-off in May 2018; principle photography likely to commence 5-6 months after
->The "Juicy James Bond" Tumblr blog publishes a list of B25 rumors, notably EON's supposed promise of a Logan-esque send-off for Craig's Bond and an action-light approach
->The CEO of the Dartz car company claims their "Black Alligator" model is set to feature in B25September 2017
->Based on information from a Hollywood insider, Page Six reveals a "surprising" (and all too familiar) plot for B25 in which 007 seeks revenge following the death of his wife
->Apple and Amazon Studios join the race for the B25 distribution rights according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter
->Two-time Bond director Martin Campbell, a fan-favorite to finish off Craig's tenure as 007, lines up two new projects over the next several years and will most likely be too busy to helm the forthcoming film
->In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Craig comments vaguely about B25 saying he has 'some things he wants to finish with 007' and dismisses the public perception that he is ungrateful toward the role
->Broccoli discusses her keenness to support women within the industry and would "of course" consider the possibility of hiring a female director to helm a future Bond film
->Star Wars Episode IX is pushed back to December 2019; will likely provide B25 with massive box office competition similar to the type SPECTRE faced against The Force Awakens in 2015
->Barbara Broccoli says getting Craig back for a fifth film is a "dream come true" while attending the Toronto premiere of Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool
->The British Council for film lists Thomas Newman as the composer for B25 even though, as a frequent collaborator of Sam Mendes, the two are expected to depart from the series
->According to Baz Bamigboye, Craig is apparently 'keen' on Sicario, Blade Runner 2049 director Denis Villeneuve, which means getting the gig will either put Dune on ice or have him drop the project entirely
->Deadline reports that Villeneuve is now in talks with Sony to direct Cleopatra, virtually ruling him out of contention to helm Craig's final entry
->More talks of Croatia as a location resurface, as local reports claim the production is to arrive in 'early 2018' to film in several cities throughout the country (an unlikely scenario given the script is still in early stages of development)
->Villeneuve confirms to several media outlets while promoting Blade Runner 2049 that he is indeed in talks with Broccoli and Craig, but that his involvement in other projects will determine whether or not he signs onto the film
->Villeneuve on board would also mean a likely return of Roger Deakins as Director of Photography, having worked with him on several of his recent filmsOctober 2017
->Martin Campbell states that he'd only be interested in directing another Bond film if he were introducing a new actor into the role, as he did with both Brosnan and Craig for their debuts as the character
->Location scouting has taken place in western Norway according to local reports, although, as with the 24th Bond film, it is unlikely that production will actually film there (with an incentive application deadline cited as one of the reasons)
->Villeneuve once again expresses his temptation to direct a Bond film and mentions that, in addition to himself, EON are meeting with 'a lot' of directors
->Attending the European premiere Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, Paul McGuigan rules himself out of B25 directing duties while Broccoli comments that they have yet to select anyone to helm the forthcoming film
->Production designer Dennis Gassner is confirmed to return for B25
->Rory Kinnear tells the press that he is unsure if he'll reprise his role as Bill Tanner for a fourth time
->Archivo007 reports that Gary Powell, who served as stunt coordinator since Casino Royale, will not return for B25 and will instead be replaced by Craig's stunt double Ben Cooke
->Christoph Waltz confirms he will not return as Blofeld in B25, meaning the film will most likely not follow on from the events of SPECTRE. Speculation points to Blofeld being recast or the character being absent altogether (page 1135)
->MGM strikes a joint venture with Annapurna for theatrical distribution in the US, a distribution announcement for B25 may be a waiting gameNovember 2017
->It is reported that Disney is in talks to buy out the entertainment division of 21st Century Fox, who handle Bond home media releases and are one of the five candidates interested in securing distribution rights. Some speculate on whether this will have any effect on the 007 franchise going forward
->Yann Demange's next project will be a revival of the UK drama series Top Boy in 2019, which may hamper his chances of directing B25 due to scheduling (though he will only executive-produce the show)
->Monica Bellucci tells reporters she "can't say anything" when asked about the rumours of Craig wanting her back for a second outing, leading many to believe that she has been asked to return as Lucia Sciarra
->Deadline confirms that MGM and Annapurna will partner to release the next Bond film domestically, and will officially announce it in the coming days. International distribution has yet to be finalized but may go to another studio
->Warner Bros pushes forward Wonder Woman 2 to November 1, which may rule them out from international distribution due to competing films. It may also prevent B25 from being shown in IMAX theatres as the former is likely to bring in higher box office numbers
->Sam Mendes drops out of a live-action Pinocchio remake; many presume this move is to allow time for B25
->Broccoli says she hopes to have hired a director by early 2018. "We've got our Daniel; we've got to find the director. We're working on the script and we'll see. Hopefully by the beginning of the year we'll have more news on all those fronts."
->Broccoli's next non-Bond film The Rhythm Section commences production in Ireland, which Broccoli shows interest in returning to on a future Bond filmDecember 2017
->Baz Bamigboye debunks a rumor that Nolan is the frontrunner to direct the next Bond film, despite Archivo007 claiming otherwise
->A tipster with industry connections says the B25 team will move into pinewood in March 2018, with reshoots for Solo causing a brief delay
->When asked who would end up taking the reigns from Broccoli & Wilson in a podcast, she states that '[she'd] like to think the family will continue, but Bond belongs to everybody. He'll survive, whatever happens.'
->Broccoli also states that they are more open to a multi-film deal with a major studio, depending mainly on their passion for the franchiseJanuary 2018
->Villeneuve implies he is too busy to commit to B25 due to his attachment to dream-project Dune, telling Screen Crush that he cannot be 'in two places at the same time.'
->Local reports detail 007's alleged involvement in Croatia, with the character set to have a 'near death experience' in the Adriatic and will encounter 'old acquaintances'
->Ben Whishaw tells Metro he imagines filming will start 'at the end of this year' despite having not received an update 'for a while.' He later stated that he think's he'll return despite not being offered a script.
->Production of EON's The Rhythm Sectionshuts down until June due to an injury Blake Lively sustained on-set. It is unclear if the delay will affect B25
->Ben Whishaw speaks further about his possible return as Q, hoping to 'get to do more action in the next one.'February 2018
->Léa Seydoux is set to begin filming The Story of My Wife 'next year' in Europe, which may create scheduling conflicts if she were to make an appearance in B25
->Christopher Nolan officially rules himself out of B25
->Variety reports that Danny Boyle, who previously expressed his reservations for making a Bond film, is 'high on MGM's list' to direct B25
->According to Deadline, Boyle is said to be interested in the project and has reportedly enlisted Trainspotting screenwriter John Hodge to write a spec script. The producers will then decide to go in the direction of Purvis & Wade's draft or Boyle & Hodge's
->A Reddit user claims that Yann Demange was hired on a 'speculative' basis and worked with Purvis & Wade on their draft, only to be ousted in favor of Boyle. The user points to recent delays on The Rhythm Section as a reason for the impromptu switch
->Baz Bamigboye confirms that Boyle's next project will be a 'contemporary film musical' and will likely start filming later this year, possibly ruling him out as director for B25 (page 1355)March 2018
->Bamigboye reports that English director Danny Boyle will direct Bond 25 'later this year', as long as John Hodge's screenplay meets the approval of Broccoli, Wilson, and Craig
->Boyle confirms rumours that he and Hodge are working on a script, plans to direct B25 at the end of the year if all goes well
->Gary Barber, a close ally to EON Productions, is unexpectedly fired from CEO position by MGM's board of directors over 'disagreements on strategy about the future direction of the company'
->Reddit user "CahleyPersia" details Boyle and Hodge's script, claiming that A-list actresses are being scouted for a central villain role with a 'personal connection' to Bond and that another, younger female agent will serve as Bond's protégé. They also claim that Boyle will edit this film and his Richard Curtis musical simultaneously despite the latter being shot first (page 1426)April 2018
->A knowledgeable source tells The Hollywood Reporter that MGM has been holding off a distribution deal because it is using the Bond rights as leverage for a possible sale of the studio (Sony is said to be interested). A separate source also claims that Boyle is a done deal
->When commenting on Bond's womanizing in a post 'MeToo' context, Craig states that he's "been trying to [veer away from that] gently for the past four movies and I’ll continue to do that.”
->Harris tells the press that filming for B25 commences at the end of the year, but remains in the dark about whether she'll appear in the film
->Both Variety and THR make passing comments that B25 may not meet its intended November 2019 release date
->IMDB lists Vic Armstrong as B25's stunt coordinator, making it his first Bond film since 2002's Die Another Day (page 1470)
->Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz announce that they are expecting their first child together, and it is unclear as to how this will affect B25
->CashleyPersia hears that Boyle is locked and that casting is 'heavily' underway. They also reveal that Annapurna and Warner Bros will handle domestic and international distribution respectively and that filming commences in December
->English actress Sophie Rundle is a frontrunner for the female lead according to another post made by the Reddit user
->Ralph Fiennes is set to star in the comedy-drama Hallelujah! in early 2019, which may result in a largely cutback role compared to his previous performances as 'M'May 2018
->Sophie Rundle, Lily James, Ella Purnell, and Antonia Thomas have all supposedly auditioned for the female protégé role while Angelina Jolie is being courted to play the central villain, according to Reddit tipster CashleyPersia. They also hear that Craig's final Bond film will have a lighter tone and will be primarily UK-based (page 1510)
->According to Variety, Craig is set to earn $25 million for starring in his final Bond film, topping the list of upcoming actor salaries
->Whishaw tells Metro he's "thrilled" by Boyle's involvement in B25 and mentions that he believes he is under contract to star in B25
->Film site Omega Underground confirms stunt-coordinator Vic Armstrong's involvement in the next Bond film

February 2015
->Rumors spark that Spectre and Bond 25 will share a two story arc, according to a report from Film Divider. Speculation suggests that Léa Seydoux and Christoph Waltz have signed on to reprise their roles, though the accuracy of these rumors is questionedMay 2015
->'B25 Ltd', Eon's shareholding company for the forthcoming film, is officially formedJune 2015
->Variety reports that the distribution rights for the Bond franchise will be up for grabs following Spectre's release and Sony's departure from the series, and lists Warner Bros. as a viable candidate due to their recent partnerships with MGM on films such as the Hobbit franchise and the upcoming Rocky spin-off, CreedJuly 2015
->Sam Mendes reveals he will not direct any more Bonds after Spectre, making it unlikely for Bond 25 to be a direct sequel to its predecessorAugust 2015
->Daniel Craig confirms in an interview he has no plans for the next 2 years, but is considering some theater work in NY, opening up the possibility for another 3 year gapSeptember 2015
->When asked in an interview for Esquire whether he'd be open to doing a 5th film in his tenure, Craig responds with, "At this moment, no. I have a life and I’ve got to get on with it a bit. But we’ll see.”October 2015
->Daniel Craig hints in numerous interviews that he'll likely return for Bond 25, but is quoted as 'needing a break.'
->A questionable rumour from Express.co.uk suggests that the series' 25th entry will be a period film, with it being set in the 60s
->Spectre's ending sets us up for a return of a few key cast membersNovember 2015
->Following Spectre's critical success, Sam Mendes hesitates to rule out making his Bond helm a trilogy
->In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, producer Michael G. Wilson confirms that a new distributor for the franchise will be chosen sometime near February 2016; also reconfirms a likely return for Craig
->Michael G. Wilson hints at another 3 year gap
->Producer Barbara Broccoli reveals development on B25 could begin sometime near Spring 2016
->Léa Seydoux admits to the press she has not been asked to return for B25, but would love to if given the opportunity
->Daniel Craig is announced to play Iago alongside David Oyelowo in the upcoming "Othello" in 2016, which may interfere with his role in the development of B25. The play is to be co-produced by Barbara BroccoliDecember 2015
->The Mirror stirs rumours that director Guy Ritchie of The Man from UNCLE fame has been tipped to helm Bond 25, after the producers allegedly enjoyed the filmJanuary 2016
->According to reports, Christoph Waltz has signed on to reprise his role as Ernst Stavro Blofeld for two more consecutive Bond films, as long as Craig returns as Bond
->Multiple tabloids claim a similar story in which the producers have offered Daniel Craig to film both Bond 25 and 26 back to back, due to his requests for time off
->While on the Graham Norton show, Ralph Fiennes revealed he will return for another and possibly final time as Bond's bossFebruary 2016
->Daniel Craig is reported to star in a Todd Field directed limited series adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's Purity
->Daniel Craig's reps confirm he is not "quitting" the role of Bond, despite reports from The Sun that claim otherwise
->Associate producer Gregg Wilson states that creative work for B25 has yet to begin, but that as far as he is concerned, Craig is still Bond
->Wilson also states that they have begun to look for the next real world threat to center a B25 plotline around
->In another likely attempt to stir rumors, The Sun reports that both EoN and MGM are desperate to keep Craig in the role, and are willing to delay B25 to accommodate for his involvements in other plans
->Actor Mark Strong, a close friend of Daniel Craig, is quoted as saying he thinks Craig is done with the role
->The producers are reportedly eyeing Croatia, particularly Dubrovnik, as a filming location for B25 according to local reports, after franchises like Game of Thrones and Star Wars had filmed in the countryMarch 2016
->Multiple outlets report that Poldark's Aidan Turner has been tipped to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond, and has been rather coy when asked to comment in interviews
->At the Empire Awards, Sam Mendes states that he is still unsure about whether Craig will return or not. "I think you’ve got to feel 100% to come back, and I think he knows that. He needs to have a break and do another role and see how he feels after that. I’ll be watching with as much interest as you guys."
->At an MGM conference call, CEO Gary Barber confirms that Bond films will be released on a three-to-four year cycle; also states that there is 'no rush' for making a distribution deal
->Ben Whishaw states in an interview that he thinks Craig will return
->The Mirror reports that producer Barbara Broccoli is set on The Night Manager's Tom Hiddleston as Craig's replacement, but is likely building on previous rumoursApril 2016
->Tom Hiddleston denies having ever had discusstions with EoN about possibly succeeding Craig as Bond
->Sam Mendes' next project is announced for DreamWorks' The Voyeur's Motel, to be directed by Mendes and produced by both him and Steven Spielberg, effectively ruling him out for B25
->Ralph Fiennes tells Den of Geek that he doesn't know whether he will come back as M or not, and that his return relies on Daniel Craig's pending decision
->Baz Bamigboye of the Daily Mail reports that Barbara Broccoli is set to produce Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, hinting that there is no urgency in commencing production on B25May 2016
->Hiddleston further deflates any rumors that he is involved with replacing Craig
->A new addition in a set of likely false tabloid rumours states that an "unknown source" has spotted Tom Hiddleston meeting with producers Barbara and Michael about possibly playing Fleming's creation in a future film
->Hiddleston's representatives deny having ever had talks with EON
->Daily Mail reports that Daniel Craig has turned down a $68 million deal to return as Bond in both Bond 25 and Bond 26
->Just as the news was catching interest from several media outlets, BBC claims that Bond officials contacted them to deny any validity surrounding the story
->In an interview with Total Film, John Logan hints that he has no plans to script the forthcoming Bond film, going against earlier statements that confirmed his writing duties for both B24 and B25
->Daniel Craig is reported to be in negotiations to star in the film Logan Lucky, alongside Katherine Heigl
->The same report confirms that development on B25 still hasn't commenced and that MGM's distribution deal has yet to be struck
->Jamie Bell joins a long list of Bond #7 rumours, as does Michael Fassbender
->BirthMoviesDeath, a reliable film news site, reports that Tom Hiddleston has been in "advanced talks" with EoN about Bond
->Sam Mendes re-confirms that he will not direct the 25th installment of the Bond franchise
->While talking to The Guardian, Mendes vaguely suggests that the future of the Bond franchise "will not be what you expect." (page 206)
->According to Radio Times, Susanne Bier, known largely for directing John Le Carré's The Night Manager, is on the shortlist to direct Bond 25. If proven true, Bier would become the first female director to take on the helm of Bond filmJune 2016
->It is announced that Scott Rudin's Purity TV series has been greenlit and picked up by Showtime for 20 episodes to be filmed in 2017 and air over the course of two years, which may interfere with Craig's schedule for B25
->Susanne Bier addresses Bond 25 rumors; says she would love to do the job
->Metro reports that the next Bond actor will be revealed "probably within the next two weeks" according to bookmaker William Hill. This is unlikely, as EoN's hiring process will have taken much longer had they known Craig would not return
->Former BBC creative director Alan Yentob, who recently met with Barbara Broccoli, reveals that she has not yet made up her mind about Craig's possible successor, further hinting at his departure from the series
->Fan Site James Bond Downunder reports that an announcement is expected in June, but doesn't specify as to what it is for
->Paul Haggis, who co-wrote both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, says he would love to come back to the series if given the opportunity
->Naomie Harris states that she is still unsure about whether she will return to the series
->Former Bond girl Caterina Murino says the need for fresh challenges is the reason why Craig is "quitting" Bond, but may simply be speculating based on recent press rumours
->007 Magazine, who have proved reliable in the past, reports that Daniel Craig has indeed gone and Tom Hiddleston is the frontrunner having already shot a Bond screentest at Pinewood
->James Bond Radio denies any truth to 007 Magazine's claim based on authoritative sources
->Gary Barber is reported as saying he is considering distributing the Bond franchise through MGM, making the corporation B25's sole distributor, but may be misdirection
->Tom Rothman, head of Sony Pictures, confirms that discusstions have yet to begin regarding potential distributors, but thinks Sony has the upper hand
->At the 2016 CinemaCon, Christoph Waltz reveals he has not yet been approached to return as the classic Bond villain
->Nicolas Winding Refn expresses his interest in directing a future Bond film after acknowledging previous meetings that took place between him and EON for Spectre
->MGM renews their deal with Fox Home Entertainment to distribute Bond related home releases until 2020
->A Reddit user claims that EON have been searching for directors, allegedly having met with Joe Wright, Yann Demange, and Paul McGuigan. The user also claims that Sony will distribute the film and that the producers have hired Steven Knight to write the screenplay
->Deadline reports that Daniel Craig is set to star alongside former Bond girl Halle Berry in Deniz Gamze Erguven's Kings, a film centred around the 1992 LA RiotsJuly 2016
->Nicolas Winding Refn says he is growing disinterested in franchise films, perhaps ruling himself out of the director's chair for Bond 25. He is, however working on a Japan-based spy thriller with Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade
->Barbara Broccoli's non-Bond film begins filming at Pinewood Studios, and is expected to slow development on Bond 25 during that period
->Graham Rye of 007 Magazine claims that a reliable source told him that Craig is definitely quitting the role
->UK Tabloids tip Margo Robbie as a favorite to become the next Bond girl
->The schedule for Craig's off Broadway play, Othello, reveals a much shorter run than previously thought, leaving more time for Craig to work on Bond 25 should he decide to returnAugust 2016
->British thriller writer Frederick Forsyth tells Mail on Sunday that there is "absolutely no way" Barbara Broccoli will choose Tom Hiddleston as the 7th actor to portray James Bond
->Michael Fassbender joins a long list of actors rumored to replace Craig, after Barbara Broccoli is reported to have had her eyes on him for a while
->Craig's next film, Steven Soderbergh's Logan Lucky, begins filming, and is expected to take 35 days. Soderbergh is known for his brief shooting schedules
->Bobby Holland Hanton, Craig's 3 time stunt double currently working on 'Thor Ragnarok,' tips Chris Hemsworth as the next actor to take the reigns of 007, saying that he stood "head and shoulders" above the competition from other candidates. Hemsworth himself has expressed interest in playing the roleSeptember 2016
->In the latest set of tabloid nonsense, The Sun creates a falsified MGM "shortlist" of Bond #7s, notably Tom Hiddleston, Michael Fassbender, Charlie Hunnam, Jamie Bell, and famed Bond candidate Idris Elba, who, at this stage, is too old to take the reigns from Craig.
->Other stories put British actors Tom Hughes (30) and James Norton (31) into the ring
->The rumour of Daniel Craig being offered millions to return resurfaces after gossip site Radar Online, who supposedly have a proven track record, reports that Craig has been offered $150 million to film two more consecutive Bond films back to back
->The site also claims that Sony Pictures have re-secured distribution rights and are to be announcing it 'soon'
->In an interview from Zeit-Magazin, Christoph Waltz says that he was dissatisfied with his performance in Spectre and comments that his chemistry with Sam Mendes wasn't all that he had hoped. In addition, he also states that there are no plans for him to return as of yet, but implies that he would do a better job if given the opportunity
->Daniel Craig will talk with Nicholas Schmidle at the New Yorker Festival on October 7th in an event tentatively called "Beyond Bond," which will have him face the inevitable questions regarding his uncertain future with the franchise
->Léa Seydoux announces that she is expecting her first child, and likely won't work for months following the birth
->Former composer David Arnold expresses his interest in scoring another Bond film if asked back
->Ralph Fiennes weighs in on Bond 25, saying that he expects it to be a tonal shift from Mendes' films following his departure, but reaffirms the fact that he knows nothing about the forthcoming Bond film
->Susanne Bier once again shoots down rumours that she has been approached to direct Bond 25,while rumours of Guy Ritchie's involvement resurface
->Bond veteran Callum McDougall tells BBC that Craig is "absolutely, without question" EON Productions' first choice, possibly implying that he still hasn't made the decision that has been up in the air for nearly a yearOctober 2016
->Naomie Harris tells HeyUGuys that she "cannot wait to get back to work with [the producers]"; restates her desire for Craig to return
->At the New Yorker Festival, Daniel Craig is interviewed for the first time in nearly a year following SPECTRE's rollout to cinemas. He notes that while no decision has been made regarding Bond 25, "If [he] were to stop doing it, [he'd] miss it terribly."
->When asked if Bond driving away with Madeleine was the end, he responded with, "Yes, at the moment in SPECTRE, that's what he thinks. But it always says 'to be continued'."
->On B25's status, he states that, "there’s no conversation going on, and genuinely because everybody’s just a bit tired.”
->Craig was also quick to adamantly deny any allegation that he had been offered $150 million to return
->Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will be co-producing The Kid Stays in the Picture, a west-end play that will run until April 2017, hinting at a further lack of urgency of develop B25November 2016
->AT&T acquires Time Warner for $85 billion and is likely to put a freeze on future deals, including a possible distribution deal between Warner Bros and MGM, who they have been eyeing to take over from Sony for quite some time
->Naomie Harris says she thinks the current MI6 cast will continue beyond Craig's possible departure
->An MGM conference call reveals that B25 is in development and will be released, along with other franchise films, 'in the next few years' according to CEO Gary Barber. It is also reported that the film studio suffered a write-down of $48 million after Ben Hur's massive underperformance at the box officeDecember 2016
->Sam Mendes' next film The Voyeur's Motel is dropped, prompting unlikely speculation that he indeed may helm a third Bond film
->Norwegian tabloid Dagbladet claims that Craig has part ways with 007 and lists Norway as a possible location for B25 after being abandoned for Spectre due to infeasible costs. Similar complications arose for other franchises due to Norway lacking in incentives for film studios, making it unlikely that Bond will shoot in the country in the foreseeable future
->A source tells gossip site Page Six that Barbara Broccoli's offer to produce Othello is a ruse to entice Craig to make his swan song, and that he'd need a hiatus of a few years to focus on more 'serious' roles before making a comeback
->EON Productions are among film executives on a promotional tour hosted by the Abu Dhabi Film Commision, and may consider featuring the Emirate capital as a B25 location
-> A Reddit user, who previously touted Steven Knight as having writing duties on B25, claims that Purvis, Wade, and Knight had developed a treatment which was later rejected
->The same user also claims that Mendes (who's next film Beautiful Ruins is set to commence 2017) has come up with an idea with the backing of Craig and that EON had met with numerous directors including Colin Trevorrow

Nolan may not be one of the best screenwriters woring today, but he is certainly way better at writing than any writer who has ever worked on a Bond film. There is no way a Bond movie written AND directed by him wouldn't become on of the 5 greatest Bond films of all time.

I have a few names as I am thinking of besides nolan the older I get and branch out the more I am interested in people like

Jaume Collet-Serra (I loved Unknown and Non-Stop)
Brian De Palma (I liked Snake Eyes and Mission Impossible)
Chris Nolan (again I like the Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception)
Pierre Morel (i loved Taken 2 and haven't seen Taken 3 but I feel Taken was the best and the most brutal so I figured I will put him on the list)
And
Tony Gilroy (Again I liked the Bourne Legacy plus he was apparently approached for Spectre)

will most agree with this list no but hopefully most of my friends here will find one name they like.

I'll re-open this as requested by @jake24 ,however it is for the sole purpose of discussing Bond 25 production.It should have no spoiler talk regarding Spectre, or any potential spoilers discussed without using the spoiler tags.

If it goes off track or spoilers are openly revealed I'll close it till Bond 25 goes into official production. Thanks for your understanding.

I hope Spectre ends with "James Bond Will Return"…and the name of Bond 25. When's the last time that happened?

I'm kind of 50/50 on this. I loved when they did that, however I enjoy the suspense and anticipation of not knowing what the title is until the announcement. Also the announcement of the title and cast marks the beginning of the movie's buzz and hype cycle. If people know the title of the next one as soon as when the current one is released, they will forget about the film over the course of the gap in between Bond movies until the one after that is released.

Nolan may not be one of the best screenwriters woring today, but he is certainly way better at writing than any writer who has ever worked on a Bond film. There is no way a Bond movie written AND directed by him wouldn't become on of the 5 greatest Bond films of all time.

wait so Bond 25 will be 2018... sigh man I was praying for 2017 but oh well here is hoping something changes. However June 2013 we knew director and release date here is hoping for that to happen this time (so for argument sake June 2016 Tony Gilroy is announced as director with a Ocotober 2018 release date)

although if Mendes is back for Bond 25 can we just change the name of this thread to Shatterhand Production diary the man loves S titles...

However even if it is 2018 I have a feeling we will get at least 5 big pieces of news relating to bond 25 that we can discuss and enjoy in 2016

1. Who will distribute the film I am praying for WB because then RockSteady gets the 007 game license (with WB Montreal doing batman arkham games) so I get to be in video game heaven. This will be announced January - February
2. Who will write the film (this will be announced around April (assuming there is no legal wrangling and the production companies go seamless)
3. Daniel Craig confirming he will be back for bond 25 (Again many feel he won't come back I believe he will confirmation should come around April)
4. Director rumors and eventual confirmation which is always fun as we can debate and discuss the various directors strengths and weaknesses and plus this will be a push toward enjoying different film on movie night with the wife ;) Of course when we find out who will direct the film this will either raise or lower expectations depending on whether you like the news or not.
5. Release Date

So while I am annoyed at a potential 2018 release date it could be worse.

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